Despite managing editor Shoma Chaudhury’s resignation and the possibility of former editor Tarun Tejpal’s arrest rising by the hour, there still is a lone voice that feels the need to save “at least” one brand amidst all this chaos — Tehelka Hindi.
Sanjay Dubey, executive editor of
Tehelka Hindi, told Hindustan Times in an exclusive interview that he is willing to chalk out viable and clean business plans to save the magazine’s Hindi edition. Dubey said that if needed, he would speak to the exiting investors to help Tehelka Hindi stay afloat.

“If brand Tehelka dies, it will include the Hindi edition too. I will make all efforts to keep this brand afloat. I have nurtured it through the five years of its existence,” Dubey explained.

The big question, though, is how much weight would Dubey’s words and intentions have on Tehelka’s investors? Dubey is just an employee and not a stakeholder in any of Tejpal’s firms.

“If Tehelka Hindi comes up with a plan, we are willing to consider it,” said parliamentarian KD Singh who, through his group firm, holds close to 35% stake in Anant Media Pvt Ltd. Singh’s investments in Tehelka have been only for business purposes and all his investments could be wiped out if brand Tehelka dies.

Interestingly, Singh did not show the same eagerness to support Tehelka English. “We will look into it,” he said on what he’d do if employees of the English edition came up with a similar plan.

Dubey had started Tehelka Hindi in 2008 with three reporters. Today, he leads a team of 15 journalists and the Hindi edition’s circulation exceeds that of the English edition. “On a standalone basis, we are almost profitable so it will not be difficult to convince Tehelka’s exiting investors,” Dubey said.